| If you're the parent of a premature baby, you probably | | | | Sometimes the NICU is also called a special care |
| already have a lot of worries and concerns about how | | | | nursery, an intensive care nursery or a newborn |
| to take care of your baby. Any new parent faces | | | | intensive care unit. Most babies who go to the NICU do |
| concern and anticipation at bringing home the new | | | | so within the first 24 hours of birth, although there are |
| baby. However, if your baby was premature and has | | | | some exceptions. |
| to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit | | | | Babies are sent to the NICU when they're born |
| (NICU), you may not be able to bring your new baby | | | | prematurely, if they have difficulties during the delivery |
| home. | | | | or if they show signs of some type of problem within |
| A new mother having to leave the hospital without her | | | | the first few days of life. Usually, but not always, these |
| new baby can be devastating. You've been so close | | | | are babies who are born early and have not been |
| for so many months and now you can't bring your | | | | home from the hospital yet. |
| new baby home with you. However, as your doctors | | | | A specially trained staff of nurses, doctors and |
| will explain to you, it's very important that your new | | | | specialists will be there to take care of your baby. |
| baby gets the best care possible. This is why you | | | | Usually, you will be able to stay with your baby as |
| need to leave your preemie in the NICU for the time | | | | much as possible as long as you don't get in the way |
| specified by the baby's doctor. | | | | of treatment or testing that needs to be done. If you |
| It can help you a great deal to have a better | | | | have any questions about your baby's care, be sure to |
| understanding of the NICU and what happens to your | | | | talk with the doctor overseeing your baby's stay in the |
| baby there. This will help reduce your fears so you can | | | | NICU. They are there to help you and your baby until |
| help your baby as well. All workers in the NICU are | | | | your baby is old enough and healthy enough to go |
| specially trained to take care of newborns, particularly | | | | home with you. |
| those who are born early. | | | | |